Nesting Bowl

ABSTRACT

A nesting bowl is described and which, when used in combination with other nesting bowls of a similar design, permits a user to remove a smaller nesting bowl from the internal cavity of a larger nesting bowl by exerting a downwardly directed force on the circumscribing flange of the innermost nesting bowl so as to cause the innermost nesting bowl to assume an elevated, and angulated orientation which allows the innermost nesting bowl to be easily removed, by hand, without contaminating the internal cavity of the smaller nesting bowl.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a nesting bowl utilized in a set ofnesting bowls, and which provides novel advantages by permitting theremoval of individual nesting bowls from a nested, stacked configurationin a manner not possible, heretofore.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various designs of nesting bowls have been fabricated and sold throughthe years. Sets of nesting bowls provide many advantages for chefs, andevery day cooks because these sets of nesting bowls, in their stackedand stored configuration, provide a range of bowl sizes which canfacilitate the preparation of a meal, and which further minimizes theamount of space for storing such a range of bowl sizes in a kitchen orother cooking environment.

Typically, when a set of nesting bowls are stored, it is often difficultto remove smaller-sized nesting bowls from the stored, and nestedconfiguration without placing one's hand within the smaller-sizednesting bowl in order to facilitate its removal. The prior art nestingbowls, and the typical means for removing a smaller-sized nesting bowls,are seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. One of the chief disadvantagesof the aforementioned nesting bowl sets is what is illustrated in FIG.2, and where, to remove a smaller-sized nesting bowl, an individual, bynecessity, must place their finger or entire hand within the insidecavity of the smaller nesting bowl in order to remove same. This isundesirable for a number of different reasons. Chief among the problemsassociated with this action is that germs and other food particles mayinadvertently be placed inside the internal cavity of the removed,smaller-sized nesting bowl thus requiring that the chef, or cook, washthe internal cavity of the nesting bowl, again, in order to remove anyfood debris or contamination that may have been inadvertently introducedinto the internal cavity thereof.

While most chefs, and other cooks recognize that this contaminationsometimes occurs. Oftentimes, in the rush to complete the preparation ofa meal, or a given course during a meal, this second washing or cleaningof the internal cavity of a removed nesting bowl often is overlooked, orignored. This is undesirable, inasmuch as contamination in the form ofgerms; and other food debris, and which might possibly cause an adverseallergic reaction for an individual consuming the meal, Obviously theseproblems should be avoided if at all possible.

A nesting bowl, and nesting bowl combination which avoids the problemsassociated with the prior art, and the practices associated with theprior art nesting bowls that have been utilized, heretofore, is thesubject matter of the present patent application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a nesting bowl havinga main body which has a top peripheral edge, and an interior facingsurface which defines an internal cavity, and which further has a givenshape and size, The main body has a circumscribing flange which is madeintegral with the top, peripheral edge, and which further extendslaterally outwardly therefrom. An annular channel having variabledimensions is defined by the interior facing surface, and which islocated near the top, peripheral edge thereof, and wherein the main bodyof the nesting bowl matingly cooperates with a second nesting bowl whichhas similar features, and which is either of a greater or lesser sizethan the first mentioned nesting bowl. The first mentioned nesting bowl,and the second nesting bowl, when disposed in a nested relationship, arelocated so that the circumscribing flange of each are oriented in acoplanar orientation, one relative to the other. An application of adownwardly directed force to the circumscribing flange of a smaller,innermost oriented nesting bowl is effective in moving thecircumscribing flange of the innermost oriented, and smaller-sizednesting bowl, into an elevated, angular orientation relative to anoutermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl so as to assist in theremoval of the innermost oriented, and smaller-sized nesting bowl fromthe outermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl.

Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a nesting bowlwhich includes a main body defined by an exterior facing surface, and anopposite, interior facing surface, and wherein the exterior facingsurface of the main body defines a base portion which is operable tosupport the main body of the nesting bowl in a predetermined orientationon an underlying supporting surface, and which further has a top,peripheral edge, and wherein the main body further has a circumscribingflange which is disposed in spaced relation relative to the baseportion, and which is further disposed in a substantially coplanarorientation relative to the top, peripheral edge, and wherein theinterior facing surface of the main body defines an internal cavityhaving a given volume, and shape, and wherein an annular channel isformed in the interior facing surface of the main body, and is furtherlocated in juxtaposed relation relative to the circumscribing flange,and the top peripheral edge, and wherein the annular channel isdimensioned to matingly, and operably cooperate with a circumscribingflange of a second, and smaller nesting bowl, and which is matinglynested within the internal cavity of the main body.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed ingreater detail hereinafter,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a typical, prior art nestingbowl combination which has been utilized, heretofore.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art nesting bowl combination,and showing a user's hand inserted, at least in part, within theinternal cavity of a smaller-sized nesting bowl in order to remove itfrom a stacked, nesting bowl combination.

FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded, side elevation view of a nestingbowl, and nesting bowl combination of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of a nesting bowl ofthe present invention and which is taken from a position along line 4-4of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective, side elevation view of the nesting bowl of thepresent invention, and which shows a user removing a nested, smallerdimensioned nesting bowl from a stacked configuration in a manner notpossible heretofore.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of theconstitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progressof science in useful arts” [Article 1, §8].

The nesting bowl and nesting bowl combination of the present inventionis generally indicated by the numeral 10 in FIGS. 3 and 5, respectively.It should be understood that nesting bowls of various designs have beensold and utilized for many years. A prior art nesting bowl arrangementis seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. In this regard, the prior artnesting bowl combination 11 is formed of a smaller-sized nesting bowl12; a pair of intermediate-sized nesting bowls 13; and a large-sizednesting bowl 14. The respective prior art nesting bowls each have a mainbody 15 which is generally semi-hemispherical in shape. Still further,each of the prior art nesting bowls 11 have a circumscribing flange 16,and further defines an internal cavity 17 which is conformably shaped soas to allow the nesting of a smaller-sized nesting bowl within theinternal cavity 17 thereof. Referring now to FIG. 2, and when the priorart nesting bowl combination 11 is properly stored, the respectiveindividual nesting bowls 11 are arranged, as illustrated, for easystorage. However, and as noted earlier in this patent application, toremove a smaller-sized nesting bowl from a stored, and nestedconfiguration, a user 18 must insert their hand into the internal cavity17 of one of the nesting bowls 11 so as to effect its removal. By doingthis, the user 18, contaminates the internal cavity 17 with eithergerms, food debris, or both. This of course necessitates the cleaning ofthe removed nesting bowl 11 in order to remove the germs and food debrisbefore further cooking can continue. Otherwise the prepared meal couldbe adversely contaminated.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the nesting bowls of the present invention aregenerally indicated by the numeral 10, and include a larger-sizednesting bowl 20, and a corresponding smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 whichis operable to nest within same, While only two bowls are shown, it willbe understood that both larger and smaller sized nesting bowls can alsobe provided. In this regard, the nesting bowl 10 of the presentinvention will be described, hereinafter, by referring to the samestructures by utilizing an alpha-numeric designator. It should beunderstood that each of the respective nesting bowls 20 and 21 as seenin FIG. 3 have a main body 22A, and which relates to the larger-sizednesting bowl 20, and a corresponding main body 22B which refers to thesmaller-sized nesting bowl 21. Further, each of the nesting bowls 20 and21 each have an exterior facing surface 23A and 23B, respectively, andfurther have an opposite interior facing surface 24A and 24B,respectively. In this regard, the main body 22A and 223 of therespective large-sized nesting bowl 20, and small-size nesting bowl 21,has a base portion 25 which is dimensioned to support the respectivenesting bowls 20 and 21, respectively, on an underlying supportingsurface when in use (FIG. 4). Still further, the main body 22A and 22B,respectively, each include a top peripheral edge 26A and 8, and aninternal cavity 27A and 273, respectively, and which is defined by theinterior facing surface 24A and 24B, respectively. It should beunderstood that the main body 22A and 228, respectively, are bothsemi-hemispherical in shape. However, the overall size of the main body22B is dimensioned so that it may be received in a nested or storedconfiguration within the internal cavity 27A, of the larger-size nestingbowl 20.

The larger-sized nesting bowl 20, and smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 eachhave a circumscribing flange which is generally indicated by thenumerals 40A and 40B, respectively. The circumscribing flange 40A, asillustrated in FIG. 4, is made integral with the top, peripheral edge26A and B, of the respective nesting bowls 20 and 21, respectively. Thecircumscribing flange 40A and 40B, respectively, extend substantiallyradially outwardly relative to the top peripheral edge 26A and 26B,respectively. Still further, the circumscribing flanges 40A and 40B,each have a top surface of 41A and B, respectively, and an opposite,bottom surface 42A and B, respectively. As seen in FIG. 3, andfollowing, an indicia, here indicated by the numbers 43A and 43B,respectively, are formed in, or otherwise attached to, the top surface41A and 41B, respectively, of the circumscribing flanges 40A and B. Therespective indicia of 43A and 43B are individually positioned adjacentto a location along or near to the annular channel 60A and 60B,respectively, and which has the maximum width dimension. This will bediscussed, below.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 the main body 22A and B, and morespecifically the interior facing surface thereof, 24A and B,respectively, has formed into the interior facing surface an annularchannel 60A and 60B respectively, The respective annular channels whichare formed in the interior facing surface are located near the topperipheral edge 26A and 26B, respectively. The annular channel 60A and Bextend substantially continuously about the interior facing surface, andfurther has a substantially similar depth dimension along its length,but further has a variable width dimension, In this regard, the annularchannel 60A and 60B, respectively, each has a depth dimension indicatedby the line labeled 61A, as seen in FIG. 4, and further has a widthdimension that is generally indicated by the numeral 62A and B as seenin FIG. 3. It should be understood that the annular channel 60A and 60Beach has a location or region 63A or B and which has a maximum widthdimension ; and a second location 64A or B and which has a minimum widthdimension. It should be appreciated, from a study of FIGS. 3 and 4, thatthe location of the maximum width dimension 63 of the annular channel60A and 60B, respectively, is located adjacent to the indicia 43A and43B, respectively. The location of the maximum width dimension 63A or Bis located on opposite sides of the main body 22A and 22B, respectively.Still further the location of the minimum width dimension 64A and B, ofthe annular channels 60A and B, is located at a position which is about90° offset from the location where the maximum width dimension 63A or Bis located on the main body 22A and 22B, respectively.

As best seen by a study of FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be appreciated thatwhen the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 is received within the internalcavity 27A of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20, that the correspondingcircumscribing flanges 40A and 40B are substantially oriented in acoplanar position one relative to the other, However, when a downwardlydirected force 70, as seen in FIG. 5, is applied to the top surface 418,in the region of the indicia 43A, and which is on the circumscribingflange 40A, this downwardly directed force 70, and which is typicallyapplied by the hand of the user 18, causes the smaller-sized nestingbowl 21, and more specifically the circumscribing flange 40B, to bemoved into an angulated, elevated orientation relative to the outermostoriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl 20, so as to assist in theremoval of the innermost oriented and smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 fromthe outermost oriented and larger-sized nesting bowl 20 (FIG. 5). Inthis regard, it should be appreciated that the bottom surface 42B of thesmaller-sized nesting bowl 21, rests on the interior facing surface 24A,and which, at least in part, forms the location of the minimum widthregion 64A of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20. Consequently, when forceis applied to the circumscribing flange 40B, of the smaller-sizednesting bowl 21, and in the area of the maximum width dimension 63A ofthe larger-sized nesting bowl 20, the smaller-size nesting bowl 21 isoperable to rock into an angulated elevated position 71 as seen in FIG.5, so as to provide an easy removal of the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21without the insertion of a person's fingers or hand 18 within theinternal cavity 27B. It should be understood that the inside diametraldimension of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20, and which is measured inthe region of the annular channel 60A, is slightly greater than theoutside diametral dimension of the circumscribing flange 40B of thesmaller-sized nesting bowl 21. Consequently, the smaller-sized nestingbowl 21, when received in a nesting relationship within the internalcavity 27A of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20, allows thecircumscribing flanges of the respective nesting bowls 40A and B to beoriented in a coplanar position one relative to the other. In thiscoplanar position or orientation, the base portion 25B of thesmaller-sized nesting bowl 21 is disposed in spaced relation relative tothe interior facing surface 24A, of the large sized nesting bowl 20.This spatial orientation allows the rocking of the smaller nesting bowl21 relative to the larger nesting bowl 20 as seen in FIG. 5.

OPERATION

The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention 10 isbelieved to be readily apparent, and is briefly summarized at thispoint.

In its broadest aspect the present invention 10 relates to a nestingbowl 20 and which includes a main body 22A which has a top peripheraledge 26A, and an interior facing surface 24A. The interior facingsurface defines an internal cavity 27A, The internal cavity 27A furtherhas a given shape and size. The main body 22A further has acircumscribing flange 40A which is made integral with the top,peripheral edge 26A, and which further extends laterally outwardlytherefrom. It should be understood that an annular channel 60A, havingvariable dimensions, is defined by the interior facing surface 24A, andis further located near the top, peripheral edge 26A thereof. The mainbody 22A of the nesting bowl 20 matingly cooperates with a secondnesting bowl 21, and which has similar features, and which further iseither of a greater or lesser size than the first mentioned nesting bowl20. The first mentioned nesting bowl 20, and the second nesting bowl 21,when disposed in a nested relationship are oriented so that thecircumscribing flanges 40A and B, respectively, of each, are located ina coplanar orientation, one relative to the other. As seen in FIG. 5, anapplication of a downwardly directed force 70, to the circumscribingflange 40B of a smaller, innermost oriented nesting bowl 21, iseffective in moving the circumscribing flange 40B of the innermostoriented, and smaller-sized nesting bowl 21, into an elevated, angularorientation 71, relative to the outermost oriented, and larger-sizednesting bowl 20 so as to assist in the removal of the innermostoriented, and smaller-sized nesting bowl 21, from the outermostoriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl 20 (FIG. 5). This of courseallows a user to easily grasp the smaller nesting bowl without insertingthe user's hands into the internal cavity 27B.

In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the main body 22 of thepresent invention 10 is generally semi-hemispherical in shape, and thecircumscribing flange 40 extends substantially radially, outwardly withrespect to the top peripheral edge 26 thereof. The circumscribing flange40 has a predetermined diametral dimension which allows the nesting bowl21 to be received in a nesting or stored relationship within theinternal cavity 27A of another, larger-sized nesting bowl 20. It shouldbe appreciated that the annular channel 60A or B of the larger-sizednesting bowl 20 is dimensioned to matingly and operably cooperate withthe circumscribing flange 40B of the second smaller-sized nesting bowl21, and which further is inwardly oriented relative thereto, andmatingly received within the internal cavity 27A of the larger-sizednesting bowl 20. It should also be understood from the drawings, thatthe annular channel 60 has a substantially uniform depth dimension 61Aand B, and a variable width dimension 62A and B when measured along alength dimension of the annular channel 60A and B. It will beappreciated from the drawings that the top peripheral edge 26A and B iscircular in shape, and the main body 22A and B has opposite sides. Inthe arrangement as seen in the drawings, the annular channel 60A and Bhas a maximum width dimension which is oriented in predeterminedlocations which are on the opposite sides of the main body 22A and B. Inthis arrangement, the annular channel 60A and B has a minimum widthdimension 64A and B, and which is oriented in predetermined locationswhich are on opposite sides of the main body, and which are furtheroriented at locations which are about 90° offset from the locationswhich have the maximum width dimension 63A and B.

The nesting bowl 10 of the present invention, and more specifically themain body 22A of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20, when measured in theregion of the annular channel 60A, thereof, is greater than the outsidediametral dimension of the circumscribing flange 40B, of thesmaller-sized nesting bowl 21, and which is oriented inwardly relativethereto, and which is further matingly received within the internalcavity 27A of the outermost oriented and larger-sized nesting bowl 20.In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the visibly discernableindicia 43A and B, respectively, are oriented on each of thecircumscribing flanges 40A and 40B, of the respective nesting bowls 20and 21, and is further oriented adjacent to the location of the annularchannel 60A and B, respectively, of the nesting bowls 20 and 21, andwhich has the maximum width dimension 63A and B, As will be appreciatedfrom a study of FIG. 5, the downwardly directed force 70 which isapplied to the circumscribing flange 40B of the smaller-sized, innermostlocated nesting bowl 21, at a location which is adjacent to the visiblydiscernable indicia 43A, of the immediately outermost and larger-sizednesting bowl 20, is effective in rocking this smaller-sized nesting bowl21 into an elevated, angular orientation 71, so as to facilitate theeasy removal of the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 from the internalcavity 27A of the immediately outermost and larger-sized nesting bowl 20without resort to contaminating the internal cavity 27B thereof.

As earlier discussed, the circumscribing flanges 40A and B of therespective nesting bowls 20 and 21, respectively, each have a top, andan opposite bottom surface 41 and 42, A and B, respectively. It shouldbe understood that the bottom surface 42B of the circumscribing flange40B, of the smaller-sized, and innermost located nesting bowl 21, restsin contact with a location of the annular channel 60A of the outermostlocated, and larger-sized nesting bowl 20, and which has the minimumwidth dimension 64A. In this arrangement the downwardly directed force70 rocks the innermost, and smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 about theminimum width location 64A, of the annular channel 60A of the outermostoriented and larger-sized nesting bowl 21. As should be appreciated fromthe drawings, the innermost and smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 is spacedfrom the interior facing surface 24A of the outermost and larger-sizednesting bowl 20 when the respective nesting bowls 20 and 21 are nestedtogether, and the respective circumscribing flanges 40A and 40B, aredisposed in a coplanar orientation, one relative to the other. It shouldbe appreciated, that the width dimension 62, of the annular channel 60Aand B, respectively, gradually diminishes when the annular channel ismeasured in a direction extending from the location having the greatestwidth dimension 63A or B, to the location which has the minimum widthdimension 64A or B.

Therefore, it will be appreciated that the present invention providesmany advantages over nesting bowl configurations which have beenutilized, heretofore. In particular, the present invention provides aconvenient means for allowing a user to remove a smaller nesting bowlfrom the internal cavity of a larger nesting bowl without the need forinserting the fingers or hand of the user into the internal cavitythereof, and thereby contaminating the internal cavity with germs, fooddebris and the like.

In compliance with the statute the present invention has been describedin language more or less specific as to structural and methodologicalfeatures. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the specific features shown and described since the meansherein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention intoeffect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the proper scope of the appended claimsappropriately interpreted in accordance with the Doctrine ofEquivalence.

We claim:
 1. A nesting bowl, comprising: main body which has a topperipheral edge, and an interior facing surface which defines aninternal cavity and which further has a given shape and size, andwherein the main body has a circumscribing flange which is made integralwith the top, peripheral edge, and which extends laterally outwardlytherefrom, and wherein an annular channel having variable dimensions isdefined by the interior facing surface, and which is located near thetop, peripheral edge thereof, and wherein the main body of the nestingbowl matingly cooperates with a second nesting bowl which has similarfeatures, and which is either of a greater or lesser size than the firstmentioned nesting bowl, and wherein the first mentioned nesting bowl,and the second nesting bowl, when disposed in a nested relationship areoriented so that the circumscribing flange of each are oriented in acoplanar orientation, one relative to the other, and wherein anapplication of a downwardly directed force to the circumscribing flangeof a smaller, innermost oriented nesting bowl is effective in moving thecircumscribing flange of the innermost oriented and smaller-sizednesting bowl into an elevated, angular orientation relative to anoutermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl so as to assist in theremoval of the innermost oriented, and smaller-sized nesting bowl fromthe outermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl.
 2. A nesting bowlas claimed in claim 1, and wherein the main body is generallysemi-hemispherical in shape, and the circumscribing flange extendssubstantially radially, outwardly, with respect to the top peripheraledge thereof, and wherein the circumscribing flange has a predetermineddiametral dimension which allows the nesting bowl to be received in anesting relationship within the internal cavity of another, larger-sizednesting bowl.
 3. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 2, and wherein theannular channel of the larger-sized nesting bowl is dimensioned tomatingly, and operably cooperate with the circumscribing flange of thesecond, smaller-sized, nesting bowl, and which is inwardly orientedrelative thereto, and matingly received within the internal cavity ofthe larger-sized nesting bowl.
 4. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 3,and wherein the annular channel has a substantially uniform depthdimension, and a variable width dimension when measured along a lengthdimension of the annular channel.
 5. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim4, and wherein the top peripheral edge is circular in shape, and themain body has opposite sides, and wherein the annular channel has amaximum width dimension which is oriented in predetermined locationswhich are on the opposite sides of the main body, and wherein theannular channel has a minimum width dimension which is oriented inpredetermined locations which are on opposite sides of the main body,and which are further oriented at locations which are about 90 degreesoffset from the locations which have the maximum width dimension.
 6. Anesting bowl as claimed in claim 5, and wherein an inside diametraldimension of the main body of the larger-sized nesting bowl, whenmeasured in the region of the annular channel thereof, is greater thanan outside diametral dimension of the circumscribing flange of thesmaller-sized nesting bowl, and which is oriented inwardly relativethereto, and which is further matingly received within the internalcavity of the outermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl.
 7. Anesting bowl as claimed in claim 6, and wherein, a visibly discernibleindicia is oriented on the circumscribing flange of the respectivenesting bowls, and is oriented adjacent to the location of the annularchannel of the respective nesting bowl, and which has the maximum widthdimension, and wherein the downwardly directed force is applied on thecircumscribing flange of the smaller-sized, innermost located nestingbowl at a location which is adjacent to the visibly discernible indiciaof the immediately outermost and larger-sized nesting bowl, and iseffective in rocking the smaller-sized nesting bowl into the angularorientation so as to facilitate the easy removal of the smaller-sizednesting bowl from the internal cavity of the immediately outermost, andlarger-sized nesting bowl.
 8. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 7, andwherein the circumscribing flange of the respective nesting bowls have atop, and an opposite, bottom surface, and wherein the bottom surface ofthe circumscribing flange of the smaller-sized, innermost locatednesting bowl, rests in contact with the location of the annular channelof the outermost located and larger-sized nesting bowl, and which hasthe minimum width dimension, and wherein the downwardly directed forcerocks the innermost and smaller-sized nesting bowl about the minimumwidth location of the annular channel of the outermost oriented andlarger-sized nesting bowl.
 9. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 8, andwherein each of the innermost and outermost oriented nesting bowls havean exterior facing surface which defines a bottom surface, and whichfurther supports the respective nesting bowls on an adjacent, supportingsurface, and wherein the bottom surface of the innermost andsmaller-sized nesting bowl is spaced from the interior facing surface ofthe outermost, and larger-sized nesting bowl when the respective nestingbowls are nested together, and the respective circumscribing flanges aredisposed in a coplanar orientation, one relative to the other.
 10. Anesting bowl as claimed in claim 9, and wherein the width dimension ofthe annular channel gradually diminishes when measured in a directionextending from the location having the greatest width dimension, to thelocation which has the minimum width dimension.
 11. A nesting bowl,comprising: a main body defined by an exterior facing surface, and anopposite, interior facing surface, and wherein the exterior facingsurface of the main body defines a base portion which is operable tosupport the main body of the nesting bowl in a predetermined orientationon an underlying supporting surface, and which further has top,peripheral edge, and wherein the main body further has a circumscribingflange which is disposed in spaced relation relative to the baseportion, and which is further disposed in a substantially coplanarorientation relative to the top, peripheral edge, and wherein theinterior facing surface of the main body defines an internal cavityhaving a given volume, and shape, and wherein an annular channel isformed in the interior facing surface of the main body, and is furtherlocated in juxtaposed relation relative to the circumscribing flange,and the top peripheral edge, and wherein the annular channel isdimensioned to matingly, and operably cooperate with a circumscribingflange of a second, and smaller nesting bowl, and which is matinglynested within the internal cavity of the main body.
 12. A nesting bowlas claimed in claim 11, and wherein the main body of the first mentionednesting bowl has a substantially circular cross-section, and theexterior facing surface has a generally semi-hemispherical shape, andwherein the circumscribing flange extends substantially radially,outwardly, relative to the main body of the first mentioned nestingbowl, and the top, peripheral edge thereof, and wherein the annularchannel has a substantially uniform depth dimension, and a variablewidth dimension when measured along a length dimension of the annularchannel.
 13. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the topperipheral edge is circular, and the main body has opposite sides, andwherein the annular channel has a maximum width dimension which isoriented in predetermined locations which are on opposite sides of themain body, and wherein the annular channel has a minimum width dimensionwhich is oriented in predetermined locations which are on opposite sidesof the main body and which are further oriented at locations which areabout 90 degrees offset from the locations having the maximum widthdimension.
 14. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 13, and wherein aninside diametral dimension of the main body of the first mentionednesting bowl, when measured in the region of the annular channel, isgreater than an outside diametral dimension of a circumscribing flangeof the smaller nesting bowl, and wherein the smaller nesting bowl whenreceived in the internal cavity of the nesting bowl is located in anorientation where the flange of the smaller nesting bowl is located in acoplanar orientation relative to the flange of the first mentionednesting bowl.
 15. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 14, and wherein avisibly discernible indicia is oriented on the circumscribing flange ofthe first mentioned nesting bowl, and is oriented adjacent to thelocation of the annular channel of the first mentioned nesting bowl, andwhich has the maximum width dimension, and wherein a downwardly directedforce applied on the circumscribing flange of the smaller nesting bowl,in a location which is adjacent to the visibly discernible indicia, iseffective in rocking the smaller nesting bowl into an orientation wherethe circumscribing flange of the smaller nesting bowl moves from acoplanar orientation relative to the circumscribing flange of the firstmentioned and outwardly oriented nesting bowl, to an elevated, angularorientation, and which permits the easy removal of the smaller nestingbowl from the internal cavity of the first mentioned and outwardlyoriented nesting bowl.
 16. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 15, andwherein the smaller nesting bowl has an interior facing surface, and atop peripheral edge, and wherein the circumscribing flange of thesmaller nesting bowl extends radially, outwardly relative to the topperipheral edge thereof, and wherein the smaller nesting bowl has anannular channel formed in the interior facing surface, and which islocated near the top, peripheral edge, and which further has asubstantially uniform depth dimension, and a variable width dimensionwhen measured along a length dimension of the annular channel, andwherein a visibly discernible indicia is oriented on the circumscribingflange of the smaller nesting bowl, and is further located adjacent tothe location of the annular channel of the smaller nesting bowl andwhich has the greatest width dimension.
 17. A nesting bowl as claimed inclaim 16, and wherein the width dimension of the annular channelgradually diminishes when measured in a direction extending from thelocation having the greatest width dimension, to the location which hasthe minimum width dimension.